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  • Ayrtons expands defyAGE skincare line with local sunscreen

    Ayrtons expands defyAGE skincare line with local sunscreen

    Celebrating nearly 30 years in operation, Jamaican family-owned enterprise Ayrtons Distributors is expanding its footprint in the cosmetics industry with the debut of its defyAGE Sunscape Sunscreen. This new product enhances the company’s growing skincare portfolio, specifically engineered to meet the demands of consumers in tropical climates while addressing longstanding concerns of melanin-rich skin tones.

    The SPF 30 broad-spectrum formulation delivers approximately 97% protection against harmful UVA and UVB radiation, effectively reducing risks of premature aging and sunburn. A distinctive advantage highlighted by Sales and Marketing Coordinator Jodi-Lee Oakley is its elimination of the white residue commonly reported by darker-skinned users—a frequent drawback in many sun protection products. ‘Based on extensive consumer reviews, we’ve confirmed no white cast remains upon application,’ Oakley stated.

    Contrary to popular belief, Oakley clarified that the protective difference between SPF 30 and higher ratings like SPF 50 is marginal. She emphasized that consistent reapplication every two hours is crucial for maintaining efficacy. The sunscreen also boasts an 80-minute water resistance rating, making it suitable for humid conditions and vigorous activities. Designed for universal use across face and body, it incorporates hydrating agents like vitamin E and ceramides to combat skin dehydration under intense sun exposure.

    Ayrtons began as a pharmaceutical distributor in 1995 under founder Dorothy Finlayson before diversifying into beauty and personal care. The company first gained recognition with staple products like cocoa body oils, butters, and scented Epsom salts. Its defyAGE skincare line represents a strategic expansion into targeted facial care, featuring a structured regimen of cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and specialized serums addressing issues from hyperpigmentation to acne.

    In 2025, the brand further extended its acne solutions with a Salicylic Acne Care range containing a 2% salicylic serum. The new sunscreen serves as the final step in the defyAGE routine, sealing in moisture and active ingredients from prior products.

    Accessibility and affordability remain core to Ayrtons’ philosophy, with products available islandwide through pharmacies, beauty retailers, and select supermarkets. The company also supplies wholesalers, spas, and dermatologists who incorporate these products into professional treatments.

    Oakley addressed a critical misconception that individuals with darker skin do not require sunscreen, underscoring its importance in preventing premature aging and skin cancer. Early consumer feedback praises the product’s lightweight texture, pleasant fragrance, and budget-friendly pricing—positioning it as a competitive player in the market.

  • Kenyan police officers return home from Haiti

    Kenyan police officers return home from Haiti

    NAIROBI, Kenya — A significant contingent of 215 Kenyan police officers concluded their deployment in Haiti, arriving safely at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Tuesday evening. Their return marks a pivotal transition in the multinational security effort to stabilize the Caribbean nation.

    The officers, representing Kenya’s second deployment under the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, were greeted by high-ranking officials including Inspector General Douglas Kanja and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo. Their service formed part of Kenya’s strategic commitment to support Haitian National Police operations against widespread gang violence that has paralyzed the country’s security apparatus.

    This rotational shift coincides with the scheduled April 1st deployment of the inaugural Gang Suppression Force (GSF) unit, composed of Chadian troops currently undergoing specialized training in the United States. According to Dominican Republic Foreign Affairs Minister Roberto Álvarez, the full GSF deployment will progressively expand to 5,500 personnel by October 2026, with Kenyan forces being systematically withdrawn as Chadian units assume operational responsibilities.

    The security crisis in Haiti has reached catastrophic proportions, with armed gangs displacing approximately 1.5 million residents and exacerbating extreme poverty conditions amid complete economic collapse. The situation represents not merely a domestic emergency but a regional security threat, facilitating increased drug and weapons trafficking while triggering mass migration flows.

    United Nations human rights expert William O’Neil recently characterized the situation as an ‘ongoing human rights crisis creating massive suffering for the Haitian people,’ while acknowledging that territorial liberation efforts and enhanced police visibility are providing ‘a glimmer of hope’ for the population.

    The political vacuum persists following the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, with the Provisional Electoral Council currently processing registrations from 320 political entities ahead of anticipated elections later this year. The international community maintains that any durable political solution must remain Haitian-led, with support focused on enabling electoral processes.

  • Jah Rockaz delivers ‘music medicine’

    Jah Rockaz delivers ‘music medicine’

    Emerging from a decade-long friendship forged through musical collaboration, Jamaican duo Jah Rockaz has officially launched their creative partnership with the release of their debut album, ‘Reggae Is Healing.’ The group, consisting of vocalist Chris Rockers and producer O’Brian Williams, represents more than just a musical act—they embody a philosophical movement centered on reggae’s transformative power.

    The duo’s origins trace back to their early connection through music, with Chris developing his vocal talents in church environments while O’Brian honed his production skills. Their transition from friends to professional collaborators proved seamless due to their established rapport and clearly defined roles within the partnership.

    Their name, Jah Rockaz, carries intentional symbolism: ‘Jah’ reflects their spiritual foundations and Rastafarian influences, while ‘Rockaz’ signifies their dynamic sonic identity centered on rhythm and movement. This conceptual framework informs their 10-track album produced under O’Brian’s Briwills Music label.

    Rather than pursuing conventional commercial success, Jah Rockaz aims to cultivate what they term a ‘lifestyle movement.’ They classify their sound as ‘reggae/pop’—a deliberate fusion designed to appeal to diverse audiences while maintaining spiritual authenticity. The album’s title track, ‘Reggae Is Healing,’ encapsulates their core belief that reggae music serves as therapeutic medicine for the soul rather than mere entertainment.

    Building a dedicated community stands as their primary objective, with both members emphasizing the importance of developing super fans rather than chasing streaming numbers. They’ve implemented a strategic ecosystem approach to audience development, focusing on direct artist-fan relationships.

    The partners acknowledge the challenges of maintaining consistency in the music industry, particularly when balancing multiple creative perspectives. However, their shared sense of purpose and belief in their mission provides strong foundation for their artistic journey. Both view music as their destiny—a calling they hope will inspire others to pursue their dreams with similar conviction.

  • Keshawn McGrath seeks Guild president position at UWI

    Keshawn McGrath seeks Guild president position at UWI

    Keshawn McGrath, a computer science student and resident of Taylor Hall at the University of the West Indies (Mona), has announced his candidacy for Student Guild President, positioning himself as an advocate for enhanced campus experiences. With university elections scheduled for Thursday, McGrath emphasizes student welfare and representation as core pillars of his campaign.

    In an interview with Observer Online, McGrath articulated his motivation for seeking the presidency, stating that addressing student concerns has always been a personal priority. His platform focuses on improving student life through comprehensive welfare programs, expanded opportunities, financial support initiatives, and other critical factors affecting the campus community.

    Currently serving as Vice-President of Properties and Special Initiatives (PSI), McGrath brings practical governance experience to his campaign. He explained that his portfolio responsibilities have provided direct insight into student well-being issues, revealing opportunities to strengthen connections between the Guild Council and the general student population. This executive role has demonstrated where additional advocacy efforts could benefit the broader campus community.

    McGrath’s leadership background includes serving as Taylor Hall chairman in 2025 and previously holding the position of public relations officer. These roles, he asserts, have equipped him with the balanced approach necessary for effective Guild leadership. His tenure as hall chairman particularly taught him how to engage with and represent student concerns, while his VP position developed his skills in council leadership combined with sustained advocacy work.

    The Montego Bay native and Cornwall College alumnus believes his experiences have instilled the essential qualities needed for presidential responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of empathy and servant leadership in student governance. McGrath positions himself as a candidate prepared to bridge the gap between administrative decision-making and student needs through practical, experience-informed leadership.

  • Bring case to ICJ for Melissa damage, says Golding

    Bring case to ICJ for Melissa damage, says Golding

    Jamaican Opposition Leader Mark Golding has issued a compelling call for the nation to pursue legal action against major carbon-emitting countries through the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The demand comes in response to the catastrophic devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm in October 2025, causing an estimated US$12.2 billion in damages.

    During his address in the House of Representatives’ 2026/27 Budget Debate, Golding articulated that developed nations bear historical responsibility for persistently ignoring scientific consensus regarding climate change while continuing carbon-intensive economic practices. These actions, he argued, have effectively exported climate-related costs to vulnerable developing nations and small island states like Jamaica.

    The legal foundation for this claim stems from a landmark ICJ advisory opinion delivered in July 2025, which established that states must actively address fossil fuel emissions and could be held financially accountable for climate-related damages. The ruling, championed by Vanuatu and supported by numerous small island nations, represents a transformative development in international environmental law.

    Golding emphasized that Jamaica should assemble an expert legal team to prepare a comprehensive brief exploring compensation avenues through the ICJ’s contentious jurisdiction. Alternatively, he proposed that Jamaica lead efforts at the United Nations General Assembly to seek the court’s advisory opinion on appropriate compensation levels from major contributors to global warming.

    The Opposition Leader highlighted the increasing frequency and intensity of climate disasters affecting Jamaica, noting that four major hurricanes (Ivan, Dean, Beryl, and Melissa) have struck the island since 1988, causing over US$1 billion in damages prior to Melissa’s unprecedented destruction. He characterized Melissa’s unusual intensification patterns as unequivocally climate-related, exacerbated by Caribbean waters measuring 1.4 degrees above pre-industrial temperatures.

    Golding concluded that Jamaica, as a minimal contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, should not bear alone the enormous financial burden of climate disasters caused primarily by industrialized nations. The pursuit of climate justice through international legal channels represents both a moral imperative and practical necessity for the nation’s sustainable development.

  • American guitarist Wayne Perkins has died

    American guitarist Wayne Perkins has died

    The music industry mourns the loss of Wayne Perkins, the acclaimed American session guitarist whose iconic rock solo propelled The Wailers’ ‘Concrete Jungle’ into legendary status. Perkins passed away peacefully on March 16 at the age of 74, following complications from a recent stroke. His brother, Dale Perkins, confirmed the news via a heartfelt Facebook post, expressing the family’s profound grief and gratitude for the outpouring of support, noting that Wayne was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his passing.

    A native of Alabama, Perkins carved a remarkable career as a versatile session musician. His pivotal contribution to reggae history occurred during the early 1970s when he was a member of the rock band Smith Perkins Smith, signed to Island Records. It was here that he crossed paths with The Wailers—Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Livingston—who were also on the label’s roster.

    Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, aiming to broaden The Wailers’ appeal beyond traditional reggae audiences, strategically enlisted Perkins to overdub a fiery rock guitar solo onto ‘Concrete Jungle.’ This masterstroke, now celebrated as one of the finest guitar solos in reggae history, became the centerpiece of the band’s groundbreaking 1973 album ‘Catch A Fire,’ their major label debut.

    Beyond his work with The Wailers, Perkins’ exceptional talent graced recordings by other music titans. He contributed significantly to The Rolling Stones’ 1981 album ‘Tattoo You,’ laying down guitar tracks for several songs on the multi-platinum record. His death marks the departure of a uniquely gifted musician who played an indispensable role in bridging musical genres and shaping the sound of an era.

  • GK delivers on solar savings despite Melissa disruptions

    GK delivers on solar savings despite Melissa disruptions

    Jamaican conglomerate GraceKennedy Limited is reporting exceptional performance from its renewable energy initiatives, achieving greater-than-anticipated financial savings despite significant infrastructure damage from Hurricane Melissa. The corporation’s solar power transition program has yielded over US$700,000 in energy savings for 2025, substantially exceeding its initial target of US$600,000 and advancing toward its ambitious goal of US$1 million in annual savings by 2026.

    Group CEO Frank James revealed during a recent investor briefing that the savings would have been even more substantial had Hurricane Melissa not destroyed the solar installation at the company’s meat processing facility. The catastrophic Category 5 hurricane—the most intense storm ever recorded in Jamaican history—caused extensive operational disruptions across the conglomerate’s network.

    The renewable energy program, launched in 2022 under former CEO Don Wehby, represented a US$3 million investment to convert multiple operations to solar power. The initiative had already demonstrated its viability with approximately US$400,000 in savings during 2024 as the program began scaling across the organization.

    James emphasized the company’s commitment to rebuilding stronger solar infrastructure despite the hurricane’s impact: ‘We continue to see the savings from solar, so we’re not daunted and we’ll be rebuilding bigger and better.’

    The hurricane’s devastation extended beyond energy infrastructure, particularly affecting the Savanna-la-Mar meat processing plant (Grace Food Processors Meats), which sustained substantial damage requiring temporary closure. The facility, described by James as a profitable operation, resumed production by December’s end following repairs, restoring key product lines including Vienna sausages and frankfurters to supermarket shelves.

    Financially, the hurricane generated approximately J$1.4 billion in one-time profit impacts primarily from business interruptions and increased insurance claims. This marked the first instance where a majority of GraceKennedy’s profits originated from international operations rather than domestic markets, as Jamaican operations absorbed the storm’s consequences.

    Additional hurricane-related challenges included inaccessibility to one of the company’s three spring water sources in the Blue Mountains’ Newcastle area due to road damage. James confirmed that despite this setback, the company has maintained uninterrupted supply through its two remaining sources, ensuring continued availability of spring water products while awaiting road repairs.

  • Everyday Value Jamaica Ltd is the exclusive distributor of Britannia products

    Everyday Value Jamaica Ltd is the exclusive distributor of Britannia products

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A landmark distribution agreement has been finalized between Everyday Value Jamaica Limited and Britannia Industries Limited, India’s premier biscuit and dairy products manufacturer. This exclusive partnership signifies Britannia’s official market entry into Jamaica, with Everyday Value Jamaica appointed as the sole distributor for its extensive product portfolio.

    The strategic alliance represents a mutual commitment to market expansion and consumer accessibility. Zhen Tang, Managing Director of Everyday Value Jamaica, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, ‘This partnership aligns with the steady progress and trust we have cultivated as an organization. Our five decades of expertise in distribution have prepared us for such high-caliber alliances, which serve as testaments to our operational resilience and growth trajectory.’

    Shanice Nation, Senior Marketing and Business Development Manager, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: ‘We are honored to be selected as the distribution partner for this multinational conglomerate. Facilitating Britannia’s debut in Jamaica reinforces our dedication to forging enduring partnerships and driving mutual commercial success.’

    The distribution framework will encompass nationwide logistics, marketing campaigns, and customer support services for Britannia’s diverse biscuit range. Jamaican consumers will gain direct access to popular brands including Marie Gold, Tiger, Treat, Milk Biskis, 50/50, Little Hearts, Jim Jam, Good Day, Bour Bon, Pure Magic Choco, Nutro, and NiceTime.

    To catalyze market penetration, Britannia will launch its ‘Biscuits-BUY THE DOZEN’ promotional campaign featuring two months of intensive marketing activities. The initiative will include trade incentives for retailers and wholesalers, complemented by in-store product sampling events and consumer giveaways at major retail chains including John R Wong, General Foods, Sampars/Select Grocers, Sovereign, and Loshusan.

  • Food price swings mask underlying pressures as inflation dips

    Food price swings mask underlying pressures as inflation dips

    Jamaica experienced a significant downturn in inflation during February, with official statistics revealing a 0.9% monthly contraction in the All-Jamaica Consumer Price Index. This substantial decline was predominantly propelled by a dramatic 11.3% collapse in vegetable prices alongside reductions in tubers, plantains, and pulses, culminating in a 2.5% decrease within the food and non-alcoholic beverages category. Superficially, these figures position annual inflation at 3.9%—comfortably within the Bank of Jamaica’s target corridor of 4-6%—suggesting economic stability.

    However, beneath this apparent tranquility lies a more complex economic narrative. Despite the dramatic monthly food price correction, annualized food inflation persists at 5.1%, maintaining its position as the primary driver of overall price increases. Concurrently, housing utilities and fuels recorded 5% inflation while personal care services rose 4.1%, indicating sustained pressure across essential expenditure categories.

    The February data reveals critical sectoral divergences: while agricultural products experienced deflationary trends, housing-related costs including electricity advanced 0.2% alongside similar increases in transportation fueled by rising petrol prices. This dichotomy underscores Jamaica’s fundamental inflation characteristic—volatile food prices creating optical illusions that mask structural cost increases in energy-dependent sectors.

    This presents policymakers with a formidable challenge, as monetary tools designed to combat demand-driven inflation remain largely ineffective against supply-side volatility in agricultural production. The current stability thus appears contingent upon unpredictable factors including harvest yields and global energy markets, creating a fragile equilibrium that could rapidly reverse.

    For Jamaican households, the statistical decline offers limited relief as reduced grocery expenses are offset by mounting utility and transportation costs, maintaining constant pressure on household budgets. The economy consequently demonstrates superficially controlled inflation while remaining vulnerable to sudden shifts in commodity markets and energy pricing.

  • Costa Rica closes Havana embassy, tells Cuba to withdraw diplomats

    Costa Rica closes Havana embassy, tells Cuba to withdraw diplomats

    In a dramatic diplomatic rupture, Costa Rica has shuttered its embassy in Havana and ordered Cuban diplomats to depart from San José. The Central American nation’s conservative government announced the decision Wednesday, citing grave concerns over human rights violations in Cuba.

    President Rodrigo Chaves framed the action as part of a broader regional initiative, stating, ‘We must cleanse communists from the hemisphere.’ This alignment with U.S. foreign policy objectives underscores Costa Rica’s strategic partnership with the Trump administration, which has intensified pressure on Cuba through economic sanctions and regime change threats.

    Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre Tinoco elaborated on the rationale behind the diplomatic break, pointing to the ‘sustained deterioration of human rights conditions in Cuba’ and increased ‘repressive measures targeting citizens, activists, and dissident voices.’ The ministry’s directive requires all Cuban diplomatic staff to exit Costa Rican territory, though consular officials will retain their positions to handle citizen services.

    This move places Costa Rica alongside Ecuador, another U.S. ally that recently expelled Cuban Ambassador Basilio Gutiérrez on March 4th. Ecuadorian authorities accused Gutiérrez of meddling in domestic politics and participating in ‘violent activities.’ The coordinated actions suggest a developing pattern of diplomatic isolation against Cuba within Latin America, potentially signaling a new phase of regional geopolitical realignment influenced by Washington’s anti-communist stance.